Today’s Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion.

Find the Mass Readings here: Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion, March 25, 2018

My takeaway:

#MyMassTakeaway: Palm Sunday – who you are. . Humility is knowing who you are before God. . In the first reading, Isaiah says "The Lord has given me a well trained tongue." He recognizes the talents the Lord has given him, and he strives to use them for the good of others. . In the second reading, we hear that Jesus is God, but He doesn't "grasp at" equality with God. This reminds us of Adam and Eve, who wanted to be like gods, who grasped at equality with God. They let their pride take over. . In the Gospel, Jesus gets asked twice about who He is. The questioners don't really believe His answers. They're not looking for truth, but trying to catch Him in pride. . Are you the Christ? I am. From anyone else, those two small words would be blasphemy. But Jesus humbly proclaims His identity. . Are you the king of the Jews? You said it. Jesus is not going to deny it. He embraces who He is and why He came into this world. . Humility leads us to proclaim who we are. In truth, we don't deny God's blessings. We proclaim the good attributes He's blessed us with, and we seek to give Him all the glory. We don't play up our gifts in pride, and we don't grasp for more than God has given us. . What gifts has God given you? Proclaim them, without shame, in all humility. And reflect on how you can give those gifts back to God and use them for His glory. . #mysundaybest with @rosiehill425 -Legend's first Mass!

A post shared by To Jesus Sincerely (@tojesussincerely) on Mar 25, 2018 at 7:10am PDT

 

Thoughts from my blogging friends:

Holy Week, y’all. How does Lent always draaaaag on and suddenly it’s almost Easter? 😧 These past few weeks have not looked like we planned. Do they ever? But we know that God can redeem anything. The crucifixion is proof. So forget all of your Lenten plans that haven’t worked out so far. Lean into Holy Week. Ask God to give you the grace to walk with Him this week, in whichever way He is asking. Don’t lose hope. The resurrection is coming! ❤️ #mymasstakeaway #mysundaybest

A post shared by Jen & Logan (@surprisedbymarriage) on Mar 25, 2018 at 6:23am PDT

The voices that cried out “Hosanna!! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” as they lined the road with palm branches were the same voices that cried out “Crucify him!” in the crowd. It’s a very somber and humbling realization to know that- although we may proclaim love and praise for our Lord- it was our sins that condemned him, scourged his body, and nailed him to the Cross. But it was HIS LOVE for all of us that kept him up there. He willingly sacrificed his own life that we may experience salvation. There’s no greater love than that. ❤️ #mymasstakeaway #love #christ #jesus #hosanna #palmsunday #crucifix #cross #sacrifice #lent2018 #lent #catholicsonline #catholicsofinstagram #catholicblogger #catholicmillennial #catholicteens #catholicyouthgroup #catholicwife

A post shared by Caitlyn Anderson (@mrs.andy_) on Mar 25, 2018 at 7:22am PDT

I have a hard time reading the Passion in parts every year. And it's all because of one line: "Crucify Him!" . We aren't just reading the part of that crowd; by our sins, we are complicit in that same call for the death of Christ. . Its an awful reality to face, and it makes me feel like a piece of dirt. What a wicked people we are! To see our Savior, and to not only reject Him, but to call for His death! . This week, we'll commemorate and celebrate our Redemption. So maybe it's a good way to start the week: with a keen awareness of just how much we need to be redeemed from. . #mymasstakeaway with @tojesussincerely

A post shared by Hilary- Messy Buns&Latin Chant (@hillyanne_t) on Mar 25, 2018 at 8:53am PDT

In Philippians 2:6-11 (the second reading for today), we hear how Christ “emptied himself… humbled himself, even to the point of death…” and because of His surrender, God exalted Him “above every other name…” . . All of us are called to greatness. Perhaps not in a manner in which Christ was called, but rather, in smaller ways – perhaps less notable ways. We are called to greatness in our everyday lives, no matter what our calling. Even when we aren’t called to be famous and known on a grand stage, we are called to be great to those around us – our spouses, our children, our friends. . . To be great, though, we *must* take a cue from Christ, and first be humble. As Jim Caviezel is fond of reminding us, “Saul means great one, Paul means little one. One simple letter change makes a great difference in meaning.” To be great in our everyday lives, we must surrender our all to God – to allow Him to shine through our thoughts, words, and actions. We, too, must be like Christ and empty ourselves. Only then, can we truly be great in our day to day lives. . . #mysundaybest w/ @rosiehill425 #mymasstakeaway w/ @tojesussincerely #sundaybestsociety w/ @sundaybestsociety #catholicblogger #inspiration #begreat #worktowardgreatness #humility #faith #catholicsonline #catholicsofinstagram #proudcatholic

A post shared by Anni Harry (@beautifulcamouflagedmess) on Mar 25, 2018 at 9:26am PDT

The Holy Week has began. "See, your king comes to you, a just savior, gentle and riding on a donkey" Prophet Zechariah said. In the Magnifikid, for today, beautiful Palm Sunday, the homily ends "He is and always will be the King of our hearts" Amen. +++ This is the entry I did for Procession Sunday in the Prayer journal 'Walking Holy Week with Jesus ' from @tojesussincerely The prayer for this day: Jesus, I offer all that is good in me, to You, in honor of your Kingship. +++ #MyMasstakeaway #homily #sermon #mark11 #palmsunday #processionsunday #walkingholyweekwithjesus #prayerjournal #faithjournal #catholic #devotional #biblejournaling #biblejournalingsupplies #creativedevotionalkit #biblejournalingcommunity #catholiccommunity #catholicartist #faith #ingridblixt #openjourney #drawclosertogod #theking

A post shared by Ingrid Blixt (@ingridblixt) on Mar 25, 2018 at 2:17pm PDT

We did split shifts this week. Dan took the girls last night with my in-laws and I went to the 7 AM by myself. You don't really appreciate the beauty of stained glass until you see the morning light stream through it. I sat in the pew alone and watched the colors play out. Palm Sunday – the first day of Holy Week. Time to let that light shine through. #mysundaybest #mymasstakeaway #catholicsonline #catholicmama

A post shared by Ginny Kochis (@ginnykochis) on Mar 25, 2018 at 4:44pm PDT

Today is Palm Sunday. I taught my 3rd Grade Class. My child was serving the Altar at Mass and went over to the Church without me. As I was walking to Mass, I was thinking, “I hate going to Mass without my husband. Why does he have to travel Holy Week? It’s not fair!” And then, I walked up on this sweet homeless lady, who we almost always have something for. She was sitting on her bench. And I said, “How are you today lady?” and she said, “I could really use a hug!” Without hesitation, I hugged that lady tight and prayed with her. She said, “Easter was my daddy’s favorite. And it’s Palm Sunday today, you know. He loved this week!” We talked about how hard it is to lose parents. And as I told her I was sorry I didn’t have any cash today, she said, “the prayers are always enough”. Today is the day, we celebrate Our Lord entering Jerusalem to fulfill His Paschal Mystery, and we recall that he loved/loves us more than His Human Life. Today kicks off, to me, the most emotional week of readings… the story of our Lord’s Passion. And as the Priest read the Passion Reading from the Gospel of Mark today, I thought to myself, Jesus is God and He still died for our sins. He put Himself Last because He lead with love. The love of a Father. Palm Sunday always brings me to tears. Sigh. You want to know what? I needed that Hug too today. Please join me in praying for our sweet homeless friend and all homeless and lonely. Let us always lead with love. Never hesitate to be loving. Love his dress. The pic is not flattering… thank you 14 year old! Veil by @designsbybirgit #mymasstakeaway #mysundaybest

A post shared by Emily @Our Home, Mary's Mantle (@mrsedavis99) on Mar 25, 2018 at 7:06pm PDT

#mysundaybest 😁🌴💒 . Why must getting in front of the camera feel so a w k w a r d? 🤪 . Ok, so for #myMasstakeaway, what really struck me was when the Pharisee asked, "What further need have we of witnesses?" (Mark 14:63) . Rude, much? 🤨 . Mr. Pharisee, I'd like to say we have so much need! . Back when this was all happening I can't begin to fathom what everyone was feeling, thinking, knowing. But I do know that it seems like the answers came from drones, drones of crowds, rather than any one individual. . Our priest at Mass today touched on this very thing. He challenged us not to get lost in the crowd but individually take up our faith and walk. Don't lay low in the crowd, so that when push comes to shove, blame falls on not any one person. We're capable of so much more. 💗 . Since reading this Gospel, all I've been thinking about is, how there is much need for witnesses today! 🕊️ Witnesses to His Love, Goodness, Beauty, and Truth are so desperately needed. Which then begs the question, "How *am* I standing up and being a witness as my Lord and Savior is being whisked away to be crucified?" . . . What were y'alls Palm Sunday takeaway? The Gospel readings were lengthy with so much richness to grab from 💗 . . . #overcomebybeauty #truthgoodnessandbeauty #bodyofChrist #beautyofeachsoul #boundlessandprofoundbeauty #totustuus #motherhood #bedeeplyrooted #thecatholicwoman #pursuebeauty #dominusest #itistheLord #Catholic #thesideoflove

A post shared by Amanda (@thesideoflove) on Mar 25, 2018 at 8:48pm PDT

En la Misa de Ramos, el padre dijo que ser cristiano significa estar en comunión con Cristo, imitarlo y llevarlo a donde quiera que vayamos, ser sus representantes. Sin embargo, explicó, hoy en día es difícil ser ese tipo de cristiano, pues nos acomodamos a la vida moderna y al entorno que nos rodea… pero tenemos que ser valientes y llevar la verdad y defender lo que creemos. En la iglesia tenían una pantalla con la imagen de Jesús entrando a Jerusalén en el burrito y todos con sus ramos dándole la bienvenida, y yo pensaba en cómo un día era amado y al otro rechazado. Y eso pasa todos los días, no sólo en aquel Domingo de Ramos. Como dijo el padre, a veces lo seguimos sólo cuando es cómodo y conveniente, pero Él nos pide más entrega y compromiso. ¡Que esta Semana Santa podamos acompañar a nuestro Señor y seguirlo hasta la Cruz! ❤ Ale G. #MyMassTakeaway #ConquémequedédelaMisa #ElÁrbolMenta #SomosCatólicas #DomingodeRamos #SemanaSanta2018

A post shared by El Arbol menta (@elarbolmenta) on Mar 25, 2018 at 10:30pm PDT

 

Your turn:

I want to know your Mass Takeaway too! Comment with your thoughts on the readings, your pastor’s homily, or anything that struck you during your time at Mass.